I don’t know about anyone else, but I feel a bit stuck in a world of contrasts these days. On the one hand, I am so richly blessed — and I’m so grateful for my family, my church family, and all the friends with whom I’m privileged to share my life. On the other hand, I often feel mildly overwhelmed by the apparent chaos of the moment — and it breaks my heart to see the many things that divide us and the many “signs of upheaval” that make one wonder how long the structures by which we organize our lives can hold.

But in the midst of it all, I trust that what matters most are not my fleeting perceptions of how things are — but the rock solid promises of the One who is, and who was, and who is to come. And because He is God (and thankfully, I am not), I know that “justice will roll on like a mighty river, and righteousness like a never failing stream” (Amos 5:24). I’m confident that “our present sufferings won’t be worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). We need only have the faith to live like this is so.

And so, from today’s New Testament lesson, I offer you this “weekend benediction.” May the Lord be at work like this in all of our lives; so that — together — we may receive and share the gifts that He has promised.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)